Nationwide Children’s Hospital is hosting a series of Bariatric Surgery Information Sessions to discuss weight loss surgery options available for teens to combat obesity.

The remaining sessions are offered from 5 to 6 pm at the Nationwide Children’s Ann Isaly Wolfe Education Center, 575 S. 18th Street, Columbus, on the following Tuesdays in 2014: August 26; September 30; October 21; November 18 and December 16.

The sessions are led by surgeon Marc Michalsky, MD, of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s, and feature a former bariatric surgery patient talking about his/her experience. Discussions will center on the criteria for adolescent bariatric surgery, lifestyle interventions, financing, the surgical weight management process and the benefits and risks of the three types of bariatric surgery offered at Nationwide Children’s – gastric bypass surgery, laparoscopic adjustable band (lap band) surgery and gastric sleeve surgery.

The session is free and open to all teens, their families and supporters seeking more information about adolescent weight loss surgery. Underage participants are encouraged to come accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Parking is available in the visitor parking garage located at the corner of S. 18th Street and Mooberry Dr. Once parked in the garage, enter the Ann Isaly Wolfe Education Center and ask to be directed to the Bariatric Surgery Information Session.